Tory rebels warn Theresa May she must keep her promise to them for a 'real say' on Brexit vote

Theresa May was warned by Tory rebels not to break a promise they will have a “real say” in the outcome of Brexit as the Prime Minister said ministers will be “accountable” to Parliament over the final deal with Brussels.

Mrs May spent Wednesday trying to agree a deal with the rebels to avoid a fresh mutiny over the so-called “meaningful vote” on Brexit, having put her reputation on the line on Tuesday by telling them she would compromise on the issue.

Negotiations came close to breaking point as the rebels, led by the former attorney general Dominic Grieve, publicly expressed fears of betrayal when Downing Street claimed one of their key demands was not up for discussion.

But on Wednesday night a deal appeared to be close as Mrs May’s former Europe adviser Sir Oliver Letwin was called in to draft the wording of an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill that Mrs May hopes will pass muster with the mutineers.

It came as six Labour front benchers resigned as they rebelled against Jeremy Corbyn's policy on the single market.

Dominic Grieve is the leader of the Tory rebelsCredit: PA

Labour MPs had been told to abstain from a Lords amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill calling on Britain to seek "full access" to the EU internal market - effectively keeping the UK in the single market.

Mrs May confirmed in Parliament that the Government will table a new amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill to address the rebels’ concerns, but insisted she will not agree to anything that would “overturn the will of the British people”.

She said her approach would be guided by the principle that "the Government's hand in negotiations cannot be tied by Parliament, but we need to be accountable to Parliament".

The rebels want the Government to report back to Parliament by November if they have not reached a Brexit deal with Brussels, and seek Parliament’s approval on how they plan to proceed.

While this proposal appeared to be acceptable to Mrs May on the basis that Parliament’s advice would not be binding, Downing Street insisted it was not open to discussions over another demand - that Parliament would effectively take over the Brexit negotiations if no deal had been reached by mid-February.

Sources in the rebel camp last night insisted the problem was “capable of solution” though Downing Street sources suggested negotiations led by the Chief Whip Julian Smith would continue today.

The EU Withdrawal Bill returns to the Lords for further scrutiny on Monday, meaning the new amendment must be settled before then.

Today I voted for Lords Amendment 51 which would have kept the UK in the EEA. As the frontbench position was to abstain, I have resigned from my role as a PPS. Please see my resignation letter for my reasons. pic.twitter.com/hMFg8dbljY

Former minister Stephen Hammond, who was present at Tuesday's meeting with Mrs May, said he "trusts entirely" the promises made by the PM.

But he told Sky News: "If those amendments don't come forward, I and a number of others will consider voting against the Government."

Meanwhile it emerged that hundreds of MPs are being targeted by an anti-Brexit group which uses electoral data to convince them they can increase their majority if they back a second referendum.

Best For Britain is sending tailor-made statistics to MPs they believe they can influence, before holding presentations individually or in groups at which they try to win them over.

On Tuesday the Telegraph disclosed that Best For Britain, which is funded by the billionaire financier George Soros, had approached three ministers seeking their backing for a second referendum in defiance of Government policy.

Best For Britain believes it can persuade 100 MPs to join colleagues who want a second referendum on EU membership. They want the MPs to insist on a public vote on the final Brexit deal negotiated by the Government.